The 2016 SXSW Film Festival kicks off on Friday and as always there are dozens upon dozens of amazing films to choose from. Here are our picks: 8 films and 1 Episodic Premiere that might help you make your selections for this year’s anticipated event…
Keanu
Key and Peele’s first big screen adventure looks ridiculous. We can’t wait to get a taste of the work in progress print!
Preacher
Part of the Episodic portion of the event – e.g. TV Pilot Premieres! – AMC’s Preacher sounds fantastic. Here’s the tag: “Based on the popular, cult comic book franchise of the same name, PREACHER is a supernatural, twisted and darkly comedic drama that follows a West Texas preacher named Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), who is inhabited by a mysterious entity which causes him to develop a highly unusual power.” YES PLEASE.
Sing Street
We’re pretty excited to get a taste of the new film from the director of Once and Begin Again, John Carney!
Midnight Special
Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi thriller looks fantastic, as does the cast led by the great Michael Shannon. There’s going to be A LOT of interest in this one.
The Smart Studios Story
The story of Wisconsin’s Smart Studios – co-founded by the one and only Butch Vig – is one that defines 90s rock music. Sure to be a must watch documentary.
Jack Goes Home
“Jack’s journey to the truth is fueled by madness, sexuality, hauntings and violence.” Sounds good to us. This is part of the always exciting Midnighters program. Australia’s Lee Launay was also the Art Director on this one – bringing us a bit of a connection for back home!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
“Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the cantankerous Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family. Equal parts road comedy and coming-of-age drama, director Taika Waititi (What We Do In The Shadows) masterfully weaves lively humor with emotionally honest performances by Sam Neill and Julian Dennison.”
You’re as sold as we are on this one aren’t you?
My Blind Brother
We have a superb cast for this one – Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Zoe Kazan, Charlie Hewson, Maryann Nagel, Greg Violand – and we enjoy the basic premise: “Love for the same woman creates a rift between an over-achieving blind athlete and his resentful brother.”
Everybody Wants Some
The highly anticipated Richard Linklater comedy – something of a spiritual follow-up to Dazed and Confused – looks phenomenal, and given his track record, it’s sure to be one of the most talked about screenings of the festival. It will open the festival on Friday.
Stay Tuned to The Iris for all the action live from SXSW 2016! For more details about the festival, and to find out when all the films are screening, head to sxsw.com
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